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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Up early with my bride and we had coffee, she said she thought she was feeling well enough to go to the truck company ,but she was taking off the restaurant tonight, she felt like she needed a little more rest before doing a double shift.

It was a beautiful sunny day but we hid high winds, the temp had a high of 67, but the wind made it seem much cooler.

We had a real bad storm com through last night, with tornadoes touching down about 15 miles from us, no damage here. Branson was supposed to have been hit pretty hard.

Nicole got off school around 12noon today for conferences.

About 01:00PM the back door screen door blew open and slammed shut with the wind and broke the glass, which meant getting the dogs put away while Nicole and I cleaned up all the broken glass from the kitchen floor, I was o proud of her while I was sweeping an putting the bigger pieces in a box, Nicole got Grandma’s vacuum and followed getting the real small pieces up so the pups would cut their paws. We went over it about three times and it looks like we got it all cleaned up.

Then we went to the glass company and they said they could put a piece of glass in the frame in about an hour.

So while they were doing that Grandpa & Nicole went and got a couple of shakes as a reward for working so hard.

When we got back home I reinstalled the frame in the door and now we are battened back down.

Now were just waiting for Grandma to get home from the truck company, I hope she is feeling better like she says.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Was up at 04:30am and when I saw Donna was still in bed I knew she would not be going to work again today, and I was right she got up just long enough to call off sick, and have a few sips of coffee and then took her medicine and went back to bed. I am glad she is resting again, and she said she felt a lot better today, she kept her supper down last night, she hadn’t been able to eat anything all day Sunday without throwing it up and yesterday she could just barely eat anything so last night was a good sign. About 09:00AM we made some pancakes and so far so good with those.

I think she is bouncing back today,as she feels much better and just wants to make sure with more rest today.

I have a feeling she will be off to work tomorrow and she will have the restaurant also. we’ll have to see how that goes.

I think with all the 7 day weeks she has worked let her resistance get down.So far she had had two major flu bugs this winter. I have fought off a couple of minor colds but nothing as bad as what hits her, and I so far haven’t been bedridden for days.

Anyway I hope the worst is over and she is on the mend again.

Not much going on a cloudy cool day here at the ranch, but the pups are in and out.

Hope everyone is having a great week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Monday, February 27, 2012

Saturday night Donna came home from the restaurant real early like 07:00PM. she said she was sick and went directly to bed, All Day Sunday she stayed in bed but couldn’t eat much lunch, I made oatmeal she requested, but she could only keep a few bites down.

Adam had a great Sunday playing with his friends outside it got up to about 62 degrees so the bike got another workout.

I was up about 04:30AM and put coffee on, Donna was still asleep but I am pretty sure she will be home sick today or she would been up and at me getting ready for work. I am going to try and talk her into a trip to the doctors to see what is getting her down like this.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Donna was off at the truck company so we slept in until 05:30am. Donna made a big pan of brownie’s to take to the restaurant tonight, Also a small pan for the rest of us, except me who isn’t allowed Brownies anymore.

At 09:30am the phone rang and Adam’s buddies were ready to meet and play.He was out the door like a shot even thought it was 40 degree’s out side, it’s not supposed to be much warmer, but the kid’s don’t care, they can stop at one of our houses to warm up if need be. Beside’s a short lunch break at one of our places they will play until about 04:00PM, reminds me of when I was a kid , and it was out the door , no tv or video games.

The bikes got a good workout running down to the new park a block away. I can see each day how Adam is getting older and more independent with his friends and wanting to do the bigger guy stuff. That’s the worse part of kid’s growing up is losing the constant companion Grandpa used to have. but been there and done that so life goes on.

He still gets excited when I say hey as soon as it warms up a little more were heading out with the trailer, and you can take a friend.

My son Andy has been trying most of the afternoon to get some kind of a wi-fi receiver hitched up to the xbox so him and Adam will be able to play Call to duty on line.

Rigg’s was out most of the day because the kid’s were playing in the yard and he assumed the duty as official watchdog, and umpire.

Donna headed off to the restaurant about 03:30PM so now I won’t see her until morning. She says she doesn’t have to work tomorrow so she will have a full day off for a change, Maybe I can talk her into going to dinner. so I can say I have one of the prettiest Ladies in the place with me.

That’s about it for today, Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Friday, February 24, 2012

Up early and coffee with my bride, the she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant.

It was really cold and windy this morning Donna called and said the dumper had blown into the middle of the yard so I had to go and fetch that.

Went to the store for milk eggs beer and bread. Got home and while I was bringing the bags up the bag I had a gallon of white milk in fell from the cook station and the side of the plastic gallon split down the side and leaked the entire gallon on the floor, what a mess, Rigg’s was lapping it up for all he was worth as I was sopping it up with paper towels. He evidently got his fill as he laid down and took a nice nap on a full tummy. It was hilarious to watch, but Hated the mess clean up.

This afternoon it was off to Warrenton to pick Adam up at the bust stop and then bring him back to the ranch for the weekend.

No pizza tonight, Adam asked if I would stop on the way home and get him White Castles, the kid is growing up, now he likes the porcelain palace. For those of you that don’t live in White Castle territory, they are small burgers similar to a Krystal Burger, but cooked in onions, and known for their ability to produce more methane per ounce than any other food, these things could power truck.

Hope the weather is warmer tomorrow, it was cold with the wind blowing today.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Up early and had coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company & the the restaurant.

We have had another sunny and gorgeous day with the temps in the 60’s again, it is 66 at 03:30PM. Almost makes you think spring is coming, but we know we have another month of cold weather possible here in Mo.

Rigg’s is taking advantage of the warm weather and spending longer period’s of time outside, he will run for awhile and then pick a nice soft spot in the grass and lay in the sun. Sadie just runs out and does her thing and then runs back to door, preferring to nap in her sunny bed next to the back door.

Didn’t leave the ranch today, the truck stayed in the garage for another day, I will go out later and fetch the dumper and the mail.

Adam will be spending the weekend at Grandpa’s I will pick him up tomorrow at the bus stop in Warrenton.

I hope the weather holds out as he loves playing with his buddies and bike riding when the weather is nice.

Reminds me of Rigg’s waiting at 03:30PM for Nicky to come home from school.

Rigg’s today at 03:35PM, see what I mean..

Oh well it won’t be long and the laughter will begin and Rigg’s will have his girl home to chase around the house.

That’s about it for today. Hope everyone is having a great week, Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Was up early with my bride for a coffee, Then she was off to the truck company and the restaurant.

Not much doing around the ranch today, it was a sunny day all day and temps got into the low 60’s, 62 right now. Since it’s Wednesday the dumper had to go down to the end of the driveway for pickup in the morning.

Now were waiting for Nicole to come home from school, hopefully she won’t have much homework and then will be able to go out and play a little outside, it is so nice. The fur bags have been in & out all day.

Now comes the hardest part of my day, deciding what to make for dinner. We’ve had sloppy joes and a hamburger based casserole for the last two days, so it is probably going to be something different, Maybe Spaghetti, the old quick stand by it’s even easier when you have sauce already made and frozen. But then again a pizza is pretty quick to so I will let Nicole choose.

Well that’s about it for today, hope all is well with our friends in blog land. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Was up early with my bride for coffee and then she was off to the truck company.

I had received a request from my son Rick in New Jersey, who asked if I could get him a copy of a birth certificate, so bright and early I was in the truck, rush-hour traffic and all, heading to St Charles Mo. which is our county seat. I went to the County Health Dept, and I couldn’t believe it I was in & out in about ten minutes, maybe because I had downloaded the form and filled it out last night at home. But I was really impressed, no question just pay the fee and out the door I went happy as a lark.

So Rick it’s in the mail in the morning.

Today was one of those cloudy all morning and then the sun trying to peek through but just never made it.It wasn’t cold temps in the low 50’s but just not a nice sunny day.

Rigg’ s is laying at my feet ,here in the kitchen and Sadie is in her doggie bed behind my chair. what a life, I guess the hour knap they got in my bed wasn’t enough for the strenuous day of house protection.

I know a lot of you out there are wondering, now that the fiver is back in top shape , when we will be taking it out. Well Donna got off from the 19th of April until the 30th, so we will be heading to Florida, to visit our blogger friends PAUL & HELEN who are still in Mexico with their three Labs , Coco, Jodie & Sandy. That will give them time to settle back in at home, before they have company.They live in Inverness Fla, having spent time in Pensacola, and the Mayport Jacksonville NAS area, I think Inverness is west of Orlando.

Anyway by April it will be summer there and the doggies will enjoy a lot of swimming since they have a pool. Donna & I really look forward to the visit, since we haven’t seen them since they were at the Ranch in 2010.

Well that’s the news for today, hope everyone is having a great week. be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Monday, February 20, 2012

Up early with my bride for coffee, then she was off to the truck company.

Didn’t have much to do around her, but it was a nice sunny day all day, got up to about 51 this afternoon so it wasn’t as cool as it’s been got another month to get through. Usually by my birthday, April 1st, the season is starting to turn green here and the temps are mild just about everyday.

Because of the holiday, Nicole was at her Dad’s today but will be back this evening.

Well that’s about it not much doing in Dardenne Prairie today, not even the mail delivery, Be safe out there….Sam & Donna……..

Sunday, February 19, 2012

We have had two gorgeous but cool sunny days in a row. Donna was home until about 04:00PM yesterday and then went in to the Restaurant.

In the morning Saturday she baked a large heart shaped cake that she took to the restaurant for her co-workers.

Found a place that makes those leather wing patches we had back in my flying days.

Any of you old flyboys out there want the address send me an e-mail (about us) they Have them in USN,USMC,USA, USAF in pilot and crew wings. They come with the velcro already on the back.

Since my last post on service dogs I found a couple more,

LCPL Colton Rusk was KIA not long ago and his family received permission to bring Eli home to their family, his 12 year old bother Doug is his new best friend.

And for you guys like Donna getting ready for tomorrow mornings commute to work here’s one for you.

For those who don’t know those two in front are searching for buried IED’s.

Is this a great country or what? Thank you all for reading about these hero’s.

Well that’s about it for this weekend we all had a quiet and peaceful one so far here at the ranch, We are ready for another fun filled week, time flies when your havin fun..Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……..

Friday, February 17, 2012

Up early with my bride, then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant.

Besides a trip to the store and Walgreens for some over the counter cold medicine, my day was pretty much a stay at home Dad day with the furkid’s, Here I thought Rigg’s was getting over his puppy tricks, and someone left the door to the utility room ajar, and Rigg’s got in there last night and tipped over a trash can and had a ball ripping up a plastic trash bag and it’s contents. He’s in trouble again.

I guess he knows it as he has been trying to get on my good side all day my laying next to me and begging for pets.

Today finally was a sunny day, started out cloudy but the sun came through about 10:00AM and has stayed nice all day it is about 55 degrees now at 03:30PM. Nicole is due home from school in about 15 minutes so the two mutts are camped out at the back door waiting, Sadie ought to know by now there is no way she will be able to be first in line to greet her, with the big boy Rigg’s bulling his way to the head of the line.

Her arrival is a hoot to watch each day she tries to avoid Rigg’s kisses and licks. She usually ends up running down the hall to her room with the two mutts right on her tail.

Going to be another quiet weekend here at the ranch, Adam’s Mom called and said she had something for him to do with her family so he would be staying home this weekend. I’m pretty sure Chris & Nicole are going to spend the weekend with their Dad , so it will sure be quiet here.

I am hoping Donna will be off all day Sunday from both jobs. she has a shift tomorrow night as usual at the restaurant.

Well that is about all there is for today from the bustling Dardenne Prairie area of MO. Everyone have a great weekend, and be safe out there.. Sam & Donna………

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Up early with my bride this morning then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant. Since my son is back to work I then had to make sure Nicole was up and at em and had breakfast and then was out to the bustop on time.
I kept busy checking the blogs while all this was going on.
AS you guys all know I have a soft spot in my heart for Lab’s, Just look at how spoiled Rigg’s is and I have been reading and researching their role as military dogs and this has my interest in all military service dogs is pretty high.
I found a couple of pictures you might like.
These dogs are simply amazing at the things they are trained to do, like parachuting with their handlers. and no question about their loyalty.
It doesn’t surprise me that pictures like this don’t make the grade for publication, just not newsworthy I guess. One More.You can see the love in that creatures eyes.
Just waiting to see that same look and the licks when Nicole comes through the kitchen door after school, That’s Rigg’s moment each afternoon.
Everyone have a great week and be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Up early with my bride, no coffee for me today.Donna headed out to the truck company and then the restaurant. Andy & Samantha headed out to work, and Nicole was off to school. That left me my my two buddies Rigg’s and Sadie on duty at the house.

It was a rainy and drizzle day all day with a high of 45 degrees.Not bad and all the snow cover is gone.Not much doing around here except to let the two mutts in and out, seems like as soon as one goes out the other is ready, and on and on.

So far it’s been a cheap week for diesel fuel, except for the one trip to pick up Adam it has stayed in the garage the better part of a week, I will have to make a store run later in the week.

Since I don’t have to go to work there is no daily miles on it except for the store runs.Can’t wait to get out and exercise it on a short camping trip as soon as it warms up. I have been exercising the new generator about every two weeks and then running it until it is out of fuel in the fuel line so none is in the carb gumming it up. In about another month, I will take and drain the oil and put fresh in, like getting rid of the break in oil. So far It seems to work fine and at 3500 watts should be able to run anything I have, at least one thing at a time.

Well that’s about it for today, lets see got the dumpster down and all the chores done. So everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Up at 04:30 AM with my bride, we had our coffee and than Donna was off to the truck company. We were greeted with a couple of inches of snow, but not the 3-5 inches that was predicted. About 05:00AM Shana call and and asked if I could get Adam at 07:00AM since they had cancelled his school for today.

So I was off to Warrenton Mo. at 06:15AM and the roads were clear and hardly nobody else was out.We got back home about 08:00AM and Adam wanted to get on the computer, I sent him down to use the one I set up for his Dad in the family room downstairs. Since I wanted to check the blogs, and mail on Donna’s laptop in the kitchen.

Andy got home early this morning from plowing and salting and went back to bed.

By midafternoon the majority of the snow cover was melted, so that is good, John got a reprieve and didn’t have to plow snow today at all. If I pretreat it or Andy does with a little salt that is all I need for these little 1-2 inch snows.

Donna is working a shift at the restaurant tonight rather than being home so it will be just Adam & Nicole & I for awhile.

Rigg’s and Sadie had a good day they always like it when one of the kid’s is home and they have a playmate.

Not much else doing here. Waiting for Nicole to get home from school. Hope everyone is having a fine week out there. Be safe, Sam & Donna…..

Monday, February 13, 2012

Started the day early with my wife at 04:30am then she was off to the truck company. They are forecasting snow today and tonight.

Here is what it looked like at 03:00PM when I brought Rigg’s in.

Start of Mondays snow.

I put in yesterday’s blog that Andy had returned from a fishing trip that was hosted by his Uncle Pat, (Donna’s Brother) He took his son Patrick Jr and his son in law Larry, and Andy and treated them to a four day fishing trip near Orlando Fla. Andy and Larry caught some pretty big fish.

Andy with his biggest.

Larry & Andy with a couple.

Larry with his biggest.

They are both claiming bragging rights for the biggest fish. Thank you so much Uncle Pat for a wonderful time and trip.

Just so you know all of the fish were released after the picture taking and none were harmed.

They said it was warm in the sun on the land but once you got out on the lake the wind really made it cool and they were glad to have brought heavy jackets.

As I said it just started snowing heavy at about 03:30PM so that means Donna will have that to contend with it in her evening commute home. Can’t wait until she is retired and I don’t have to worry about either of us having to do winter driving duty.

Nicole just got in from school and Samantha just rolled in from work so two out of three are home.

Hope all is going well for our friends in Blogland, wish all and enjoyable week, Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Friday, February 10, 2012

Was up early with my bride, then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant.
I want to welcome , my 145th follower KCGAZ they have a blog, and are RV’ers with a Class C, click on his name and take a look at their blog. Hope you guys enjoy the antics of the gang here at the Weeb Ranch as we travel down the road to full timing in our fiver.
I am going to have to figure out how to put search box on the blog to reference earlier posts Had someone ask for my pizza recipe, and I know I had a step by step instruction with Nicole in a prior post, but I can’t remember when, soon as I do I will repost it.
Which reminds me it’s Friday, pizza night at the ranch so in a little while I will mix the dough so it will rise enough to make a square shell, then I will put the sauce and cheese’s on it and probably a pepperoni topping.
Funny how your expectation rises as you type this.
It’s hard to come up with something you think is unique and neat for a blog. How about this picture.USS Shangri La in Drydock, New York Naval Shipyard.
If you look close at the bottom there are three men standing next to the ships rudder. That will give you a scale of the size of these things, Plus this was a WW2 , not one of the big super carriers.
How about this one,A Navy Seal & his dog jump from a helicopter..
I just have a feeling Rigg’s would be right at my side if I were to jump too.
Well I guess that will have to do for today, so far Rigg’s and Sadie have been good today and played with each other or vied for my attention. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Up early and had coffee with my bride, then it was off to the truck company and the restaurant for Donna.

My Son Andy was off to the airport at 09:30AM to catch a plane for his fishing trip given to him by his Uncle Pat, (Donna’s brother).He will be gone until Sunday night. He will be meeting his Cousin’s Patrick (Pat’s son) and Larry ( Pat’s son in law) in Orlando and then joining Pat for a fishing expedition. Told him to watch out for gator’s on the lakes they’ll be fishing.

Lucky him we are going to start a cold streak today with a high in the 20’s Saturday.

Pretty quiet day here at the ranch, Nicole will be home and then she has Girl Scouts tonight. Boy between Cheering and all the other stuff she has going she keeps her schedule book full.

I missed the highlight of my Thursday, the trash truck came and I missed it. I noticed last week they put a brand new truck on the route, that picks up the dumpster and dumps it in the top without the driver getting out. Wow are we coming up in the world or what. The old truck he had to get out at each stop and walk your dumpster to the back and dump it in and then squish when it was full. I am waiting to hear what the new truck sounds like when it’s squishing. Doesn’t take much to get me excited huh. We have our trash service with Waste Management, the mafia owned company that has their world headquarters in the Jersey Meadows. Wonder what the trucks sound like when their squishing out there in Jersey.

Rigg’s was in trouble again, here read about it..

Boy Mom sorry I scared you last night....You came home late from work and I didn’t greet you at the door as usual. You called me and I didn’t come. Then I heard you go into the living room...nope, not there...you checked the dining room...nope not there...you checked the spare room...nope not there...your bedroom ...nope not there either...

Then you called Andy on the phone to see if he had taken me for a ride...nope wasn't with him either. I could hear your voice that you were worried....you checked the rest of the house...finally you knocked on Samantha's door to see if I was with her and Sadie..you opened the door and out rushed Sadie...but not me....then Samantha told you she put me in doggie jail. Meantime Andy called 3 times wanting to know if you had found me.

Guess I should have whined or barked or scratched at the door so you weren't so worried, but was kind of funny watching you run around opening all those doors, even going out to the sun porch.

You are right Riggs, you should have let me know you were in jail, I was worried, and I opened all those doors

because how many times have you opened a door gone into a room and then shut the door. Have never understood

how you can open a door to get into a room, but can't figure out how to open a door to get out of a room. If I hadn't

been so relieved to find you I would have left you in jail. Now what did you do?

1st time Dad put me in jail....can you believe that DAD, he's never put me in doggie jail before. It's like this you know I love butter bread. Dad fixed spaghetti for him and Nicole for dinner. He made her two butter breads with her food. Now she is a tiny little girl, what does she need with 2 pieces of bread, so I snatched one right off her plate. 2nd time guess Samantha got mad when I got into the trash ,opened the pantry,and went into Nicole's room and stole some stuff from her room...so it was back to jail. But I want to know why didn't Sadie go to doggie jail when she was so mean to me the other day. She was sleeping on your lap and I was just sitting next to you minding my own business, when you moved her so you could get up, she got real mean and snapped at me, snarled and tried to bite me. You know that wasn't nice, and she's lucky I know how big I am cause I could really hurt her. Anyway she didn't go to doggie jail.

You're right she didn't go to doggie jail as that wouldn't have done any good with her. Doggie jail is big and she wouldn’t have minded, but she really hates getting yelled at and a tap on the nose. If you noticed after I yelled at her and told her she was a bad girl she didn't come near me for a long time, she was scared she would be yelled at again.

Where with you when we yell at you, all you do is grin .

Ok, Mom I'm sorry and I'll try to be better, also I like my good dog treats and I didn't get one from you last night.

Well that’s about it for today, hope all is well out in blogland, be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Up early and had coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant.

We got up to about an inch of snow on the ground, this morning, hopefully I won’t last long, the roads weren’t covered and driving was fine this morning. I stayed in the house.

My son Andy even volunteered to go grocery shopping which I was glad for, as I didn’t feel like going out.

I was sitting around thinking about cars today and I came to the realization that my family had their share of oddball brands. My Grandfather had a 1952 Kaiser,

Like this one, it’s a 53, his had the sunshade too.

Wife Donna had a 55 Hudson,

Donna & her Hudson.

Her brother Pat had a Studebaker.

Similar to Pat’s Studebaker.

Sam had a 42 Willys MB.

Sam’s 42 MB Willys-Overland.

How many of you owned these off brands and remember them, as far as I can remember they were good sturdy cars that gave good service.

Sam also had a 65 Rambler Marlin with the seat that folded down into a bed. A lot of parents would not let their daughters go to a drive in a car like that.

This is almost identical to the one I owned.

It was a neat car for it’s day with a Chev 327 engine with 4 bbl carb and a 3 speed with overdrive controlled by twin sticks.You could wind out second and then pull the overdrive stick and wind it out again up to about 90mph, it surprised many of my friends that thought their 327 automatics were fast.

Well waiting for Nicole to get home and then we will have to plan something for supper, maybe spaghetti it’s easy and fast and Nicole loves it. She is a dream to feed, will eat almost anything and try things, The boys, Adam & Chris are very picky eaters and would live on Totino’s and Mozzerella sticks if you let them.

That’s about it for today, Hope everyone is having a fine week , Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Monday, February 6, 2012

Was up early and and coffee with my bride, for some reason neither one of us had a restful night, I had the option with Rigg’s to get a nap after Donna left for work.

This morning after daybreak, the fog was so thick, you had to cut it with a chainsaw. Then about 01:00PM the sun finally broke through.The high is only going to be 45 degrees, but that’s not a bad winter temp.

Donna strolled in the door about 01:30am and caught me and Rigg’s snoozing through a train movie. She said the power was off at her work and they said it would be a long time restoring it, so they all went home. She decided to bake some cupcakes.

Grand Chris does the cleanup of the wooden spoon and chocolate icing dish.

My Grandog Ralphie sent his Uncle Rigg’s an e-mail from NYC.

Hey Uncle Riggs. its your nephew Ralphie....How about those Giants, my home team....

Your Cardinals won at baseball....My Giants won at football.

Anyway, my Dad has read me some of your adventures...heehee....got some of my own.

Like you (guess its a family trait) I don't like it when my Dad ignores me. He won't let me into the kitchen so he puts up this gate...Well, I stand and watch him for a few minutes and when I see that he is really absorbed in what he is doing off I go.

Last night he really yelled at me and threatened to put me in Doggie Jail, just like has happened to you.

You see he caught me chewing up his cable wires... I knew if I was quiet and he didn't see me he'd come looking for me...He should have known I was up to something, see how I'm sticking my tongue out at him!

Those cables are there when I'm alone but no fun chewing anything if I don't get Dad's attention.

He thinks I chew his shoes up because I'm being naughty, but you know how it is. they smell just like Dad and I don't mean to chew on them, but I put my nose next to them to smell him and it just happens that my teeth get moving.

He has also threatened to change my name to Sock-it-to-me.....now isnt that a silly name. But I have this game where I take his socks and hide them in places all over the apartment...He just hasn't figured out that this is a version of Hide and Seek....I hide socks and he's suppose to seek them....see I can't hide from him I'm too big but a sock is small and I can find lots of places to hide them. Wish my Dad could stay home and play with me all day. You have Sadie you can play with, but Dad's all I have and he does play with me and take me for walks, but not all day.

Oh well, just thought I'd catch you up and what I've been doing, I'd better get back to watching the door until

Dad gets home from work.

Love, your nephew Ralphie, aka the sock stealer.

Looks like my son Sam has his hands full with little Ralphie.

Well that’s about it for today, we are patiently waiting for the time to go by and Spring to get here so I can make one test ride with the fiver and check out all the systems, maybe a couple days along the railroad when the days get warmer in March. then it will be off to Florida. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Saturday started out with coffee in the morning about 05:30am, Donna was off during the day, and it was a rainy do nothing kind of day. Chris was the only Grand we had home for the weekend. He wanted Grandpa to make him another pizza homemade ,so him & I did that about 04:30PM. Sheesh that kid can eat he ate half of one of my large square trays, I think if I let him he would have pizza everyday, I told him now he would have to wait until Friday for another one. He is a more picky eater that his sister Nicole, she does your heart good just to watch her eat.

Donna was off to the restaurant last night and I went in early and put a train movie on and me and Rigg’s laid on the bed and crashed, next thing I knew Donna was getting in the bed about 01:00AM after coming home from work.

Sunday started for me at about 06:00am with coffee and then Donna was up a little bit later for her coffee, She had to work again at the restaurant from 10:00AM until 04:00PM. Yesterday she told me she found out that Amighetti’s Restaurant opened a Restaurant in O’Fallon MO.. They are originally located on the Hill neighborhood of South St Louis.This is the Italian enclave and they are famous for their Italian food and sandwich’s.

Anyone that has spent anytime in St Louis will tell you that is THE place to go for an Italian sub sandwich. When I was a police officer we would send one of the guys down there to pick up a bag full of sandwich’s for the shift and City Hall girls. Haven’t had one in years so tonight we will see if the new place lives up to my expectations.

The kid’s Andy & Samantha are going to a super bowl party at a friends house. At first I thought it was going to be at my house and that my beer supply would be in mortal danger, but now I am safe for the rest of the week.

Well that’s about it for today, Everyone be safe out there, Sam & Donna.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Today for a change I was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my bride, Hope my stomach won’t pay for it later today. Donna headed into the truck company and then the restaurant.

Wanted to show you last night’s supper for Nicole and I,

Yep Ravioli’s.

Chris said he didn’t like them of course he never had them before and wouldn’t try them. He made a Torino's Pizza for himself. Nicole on the other hand tried them and loved them, good thing I held back a couple in the pot as she dived in for seconds. She is a dream to cook for and will try anything and usually eats like a horse. Just a pleasure for Grandpa to watch and know she is enjoying her supper.

On yesterdays blog I had a picture of Heidi the German Shepherd we had, Here is a picture of her and Duke the pup she saved from the car when she was killed.

Heidi & Duke, looks more like Mom&Son.

Heidi.

Duke.

Duke stayed with us for 14 years and when he died, like a lot of people, I said No more Dogs, I just hate to lose them.

That lasted two weeks and I was laying on Adams bed one day taking a nap, when I was woke up by my son putting something on my chest, the something was this.

Riggs.

When you wake up to something like this with that soulful love in his eyes and the licks on your face that followed. What kind of man could say no to that, He is now my bestus pal and companion.

As I have said before we have been blessed with wonderful, loyal and intelligent pets who have always been a bright spot in our days.

As I type this Rigg’s has his butt on my foot and is lying next to my chair snoozing, just happy to be by his Dad.

Grandkid’s and Dogs what would we do without them.

Looks like another mild day is here, the sun is shining and the temps are supposed to go to the low 60’s what a winter, nothing like last year. Did you hear the Pa Groundhog saw his shadow so we have 6 weeks of winter left. On another note the Presidential Candidates were in Fla and saw their shadows,so we have 9 mos. of bullshit left.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Up early with my bride and no coffee again, I am fighting a stomach ailment and want to get it fixed first.

The kid’s got off to school and then I decided since we were out of milk again to make a quick run to the store. Boy those Grands can go through some milk, 2 gallons since Saturday.

On the way back as I was approaching my house on Fiese Rd I saw the Sheriff’s car with the lights flashing and what appeared to be a crash scene right in front of my house blocking my driveway. As I got closer I realized one of the cars was Andy & Samantha’s friend Lisa,who drives a little green Honda Element, evidently as she was slowing and turning into our driveway a lady in a white car couldn’t stop or slow down in time and swerved off the road onto the sidewalk and hit her passenger door. Thank God the Lord was watching over them and nobody was hurt.

The wreck scene.

Poor Lisa doesn’t look happy.

View from the driveway.

That was enough excitement for one morning, Lisa came in the house and just had to sit and relax, Rigg’s absolutely adores Lisa and knew right away something wasn’t right and stayed glued to her. Dogs are so smart when it comes to reading a person’s feelings.

Speaking of dogs, Donna & I have just finished a great book titled The Dog is my Shepherd, by David E Fritsche. If you are a dog lover like we are it is a must read. It is written by a relative of our own blogger friend DONNA K. she has a button on her blog telling you how to order it. The dog on the cover is David’s first German Shepherd Heidi, We had a Heidi when I was on the police department, David spent time on the PD also. lot’s of life's parallels in this book I took a picture of the book cover next to our Heidi’s painting before she was killed.

The two Heidi’s both hero’s in their own way.

Donna said a hanky is a required accessory. As you all know I am not shy about bragging about my family and pets and Our Heidi deserves recognition, she was killed trying to save a puppy from the road, The pup was thrown clear but the car got her back end. The puppy was our Lab/Husky mix Duke who Heidi had adopted. He had somehow got out front to the highway and Heidi followed him out to get him.

We have always had good luck with animals, they all have had their own personalities but managed to be intelligent and a joy while we were allowed to share their lives.

That’s about it another nice mild sunny day here at the Ranch, and so no one thinks I have a huge ranch like the Ponderosa, it is only 2 acres square, when Donna & I moved here it was nothing but country, not even pizza shops. The guys on my squad at the PD said I was moving to the country so they nicknamed the place, The Weeb Ranch and the name stuck. But it does have a spot to park an RV and fellow bloggers are always welcome to stop for a free spot with electric and water. Deep down were just plain old country people with country dogs. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..